Medicare Supplement Insurance for More Control Over Health Care Costs
Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap, works with Original Medicare to help pay some of the health care costs that Medicare Part A and Part B leave for you to pay.
Depending on the plan, coverage can help with Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, hospital costs, and other eligible expenses.
Call (954) 872-1795Speak with a licensed insurance agent about Medicare Supplement plans available in your state.
What Is Medicare Supplement Insurance?
Medicare Supplement Insurance is private insurance that works alongside Original Medicare. Medicare pays its share of approved health care costs first, and your Medigap policy can then help pay certain costs that remain.
In most states, Medicare Supplement plans use standardized letter names. The basic benefits of each lettered plan stay the same no matter which insurance company sells the policy.
Premiums, company service, available discounts, and plan availability can still differ between insurance companies.
Why People Consider Medicare Supplement Insurance
Medigap can make some Original Medicare costs easier to plan while allowing broad access to Medicare providers.
Provider Choice
Use doctors and hospitals across the country that accept Medicare without relying on a Medicare Supplement provider network.
Cost Protection
Depending on the plan, Medigap can help pay certain deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments left by Original Medicare.
Travel Flexibility
Some Medigap plans provide limited emergency medical benefits when you travel outside the United States.
Renewable Coverage
Standard Medigap policies renew each year as long as required premiums are paid and policy requirements are met.
What Can Medicare Supplement Insurance Help Cover?
Coverage depends on the Medigap plan you choose. Standardized plans provide different combinations of benefits.
Hospital Coinsurance
Standard Medigap plans help with Medicare Part A hospital coinsurance and provide additional hospital coverage after Medicare benefits are used.
Part B Cost Sharing
Medigap plans provide different levels of help with Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayments.
Medicare Deductibles
Certain Medigap plans help pay the Medicare Part A deductible. Federal rules limit which people can purchase plans that cover the Part B deductible.
Skilled Nursing Costs
Many Medigap plans help with skilled nursing facility care coinsurance after Medicare requirements are met.
Part B Excess Charges
Certain Medigap plans cover Medicare Part B excess charges when a provider is legally allowed to charge more than the Medicare-approved amount.
Foreign Travel Emergency Care
Some standardized Medigap plans provide limited emergency medical coverage during qualifying travel outside the United States.
Compare Medicare Supplement Plan Options
Medigap plans use letters to identify standardized benefit packages. Availability depends on your state, eligibility, and insurance company.
Plan G
Plan G provides broad standardized coverage. It covers many Original Medicare cost gaps after you pay the Medicare Part B deductible.
Plan N
Plan N covers many Original Medicare cost gaps but can leave certain office visit and emergency room copayments for you to pay.
Plan A
Plan A provides the basic standardized benefits that every company selling Medicare Supplement coverage must make available in applicable states.
Other standardized Medigap plans may also be available. Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin standardize Medicare Supplement coverage differently.
What About Medicare Supplement Plan F?
Plan F provides broad standardized Medicare Supplement benefits, but federal eligibility rules limit who can purchase it.
People who first became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020 generally cannot buy Plan F. People who became eligible for Medicare before that date may still qualify for Plan F when it is available.
How Does Medicare Supplement Insurance Work?
You keep Original Medicare Part A and Part B. When you receive a Medicare-covered service, Medicare pays its approved share first.
Your Medicare Supplement policy then pays according to the benefits included in your plan. You remain responsible for costs that Medicare and your Medigap policy do not cover.
You pay a separate premium for the Medicare Supplement policy and continue paying your Medicare Part B premium.
Keep the Freedom to Use Providers That Accept Medicare
Medicare Supplement plans do not use their own HMO or PPO provider networks. You can generally receive covered care from doctors, specialists, and hospitals across the United States that participate in Medicare and accept the applicable Medicare terms.
What Medicare Supplement Insurance Usually Does Not Cover
Medigap fills certain Original Medicare cost gaps. It does not replace every type of health or long-term care coverage.
Prescription Drugs
New Medigap policies do not include Medicare prescription drug coverage. You can review a separate Medicare Part D plan.
Routine Dental
Standard Medicare Supplement policies generally do not cover routine dental care.
Routine Vision and Hearing
Medigap generally does not cover routine vision care, eyeglasses, or hearing aids.
Long-Term Care
Medicare Supplement Insurance generally does not cover custodial long-term care or private-duty nursing.
When Is the Best Time to Buy Medicare Supplement Insurance?
Federal law gives you a six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period. It starts the first month you have Medicare Part B and you are age 65 or older.
During this period, you can buy any Medigap policy available to you without being denied because of past or current health conditions.
This Medigap enrollment period does not repeat every year. After it ends, an insurance company may use medical underwriting unless you have a guaranteed issue right or another protection under federal or state law.
What Affects Medicare Supplement Premiums?
The standardized benefits can be the same while the premium differs between insurance companies.
Plan Letter
Different standardized plans provide different levels of coverage.
Location
Medicare Supplement rates can vary by state and geographic area.
Insurance Company
Companies can charge different premiums for the same standardized plan benefits.
Rating Method
Insurers use approved pricing methods that can affect your starting premium and how it changes over time.
Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage Are Different
Medicare Supplement Insurance
Works with Original Medicare Part A and Part B.
Helps pay certain costs that Original Medicare leaves for you.
Does not use its own HMO or PPO provider network.
Medicare Advantage
Provides Medicare Part A and Part B benefits through a private Medicare-approved plan.
Often includes plan-specific copays, networks, and coverage rules.
You cannot use a Medigap policy to pay Medicare Advantage plan costs.
Who May Want to Review Medicare Supplement Insurance?
People Who Want Provider Choice
People who want access to providers across the country that accept Medicare.
People Planning Costs
People who want insurance support for some Original Medicare out-of-pocket costs.
Frequent Travelers
People who travel within the United States and want broad access to Medicare-participating providers.
New Medicare Members
People entering their Medigap Open Enrollment Period and comparing supplemental coverage.
What Should You Compare Before Choosing a Medigap Policy?
Plan Benefits
Compare which Medicare cost gaps each standardized plan covers.
Monthly Premium
Compare premiums from multiple insurance companies for the same standardized plan.
Pricing Method
Review how the company sets premiums and how rates may change over time.
Company Service
Compare company service, billing options, available discounts, and policy support.
Have Questions About Medicare Supplement Insurance?
A licensed insurance agent can help you compare available Medigap plans, premiums, benefits, eligibility, and insurance companies.
Call (954) 872-1795There is no obligation to enroll.
Medicare Supplement Insurance Questions
Is Medicare Supplement Insurance the same as Medigap?
Yes. Medicare Supplement Insurance is also commonly called Medigap. It works with Original Medicare to help pay certain out-of-pocket health care costs.
Can I choose my own doctor with Medigap?
Medicare Supplement policies do not use their own provider networks. You can generally receive covered services from providers throughout the United States that accept Medicare.
Does Medicare Supplement cover prescription drugs?
Medicare Supplement policies sold today do not include Medicare prescription drug coverage. You can enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan when eligible.
Can I have Medicare Advantage and Medigap at the same time?
No. Medigap supplements Original Medicare. It cannot be used to pay Medicare Advantage plan premiums, deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance.
When is Medigap Open Enrollment?
Your federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period lasts six months. It begins the first month you have Medicare Part B and are age 65 or older. It does not repeat every year.
Are Medicare Supplement plans the same between insurance companies?
The benefits of the same standardized plan letter are generally the same regardless of the company selling it. Premiums, service, discounts, and availability can differ.
Can my Medicare Supplement policy be cancelled because I get sick?
Standardized Medigap policies are generally guaranteed renewable. The insurance company cannot cancel your coverage because your health changes as long as you meet the policy requirements, including paying required premiums.
Compare Medicare Supplement Plans With a Licensed Insurance Agent
Review available Medigap plans, premiums, standardized benefits, eligibility, and insurance companies before choosing coverage.
Call (954) 872-1795